‘Absinthe’ is taken down, again, by COVID restrictions

“Absinthe” has metaphorically folded up the tent at Caesars Palace. When, or even if, the show will reopen on the Strip depends on COVID directives coming next month.

As anticipated, the show announced Monday it is pulling all of its scheduled dates until further notice. Producer Ross Mollison forecast the decision over the weekend, saying the show could not afford to continue to run by selling 50 tickets per performance.

“Absinthe” had reopened for 153-capacity on Oct. 28, then drew down to 50 after Gov. Steve Sisolak’s three-week “pause” announced Nov. 22. Those restrictions continue through Jan. 15.

The production is refunding 500 tickets purchased this week.

Mollison says his company has proven it can perform shows safely in its Spiegeltent but needs more ticket-holders per show to keep “Absinthe” onstage. “Atomic Saloon Show” was to reopen Jan 6 at Palazzo Theater, but those plans have been temporarily spiked as COVID numbers spike statewide.

“We can operate at 25 percent capacity, which is about 220 people,” Mollison said Monday. “If we are allowed to do that, we can run ‘Absinthe’ and ‘Atomic’ in Las Vegas.”

Mollison says the venues can work to 220 if the required 25-foot “Entertainment Moat” between the stage and audience is removed.

“I see no reason for that distance in our shows,” Mollison said. “We can have our shows fully masked, with the audience and all of our performers fully masked, and be safe.”

Mollison said he has been peppering Sisolak’s office with his detailed safety protocols for “Absinthe,” a sellout hit show over the past nine years on the Strip. But Mollison has not had a direct conversation with Sisolak about how to safely increase audience capacity.

“It’s a pity because I wrote to the governor many times,” Mollison said. “The answer I have received is the answer we all received Sunday. But he is the leader, his decision has been made and we’ll follow his lead. But we have people who have not worked over the past nine months, and to hear just before the Christmas holiday that that there is no government relief is a tough message.”

Caesars Entertainment President of Entertainment Jason Gastwirth said in a statement, “It is unfortunate ‘Absinthe’ is not able to continue performing under the current restrictions limiting capacity to 50 for public gatherings, especially given their dedication to strict health and safety protocols for guests, artists and staff.”

Gastwirth added that such temporary closings are “the reality in attempting to sustain live entertainment under these circumstances,” then mentioned Caesars Entertainment’s “Extravaganza,” at Bally’s, Tape Face and “X Country” at Harrah’s, and Piff the Magic Dragon at Flamingo Showroom as those performing through the extension of the governor’s current COVID phase.

The news there is, Piff will indeed return Thursday night through Jan. 3. His show had been closed since Sisolak’s announcement on Nov. 22.

Mollison, who also does business at The Venetian/Palazzo, said his company is fielding overtures for “Atomic” to play Australia, and also for “Absinthe” to perform on London’s West End as early as March.

Much of the producer’s decision depends on how the governor responds to pandemic statistics over the next four weeks. But the loss of “Absinthe,” especially, would be a serious blow to the city’s entertainment community, and also for tourism business on the Strip. The show’s drawing power has been undeniable, filling about 9,000 seats a week, pre-COVID.

“There is no easy path for us right now, not in Las Vegas, or to go to the U.K., or to open a show in Australia,” Mollison said. “They all have challenges. But I think it’s very unlikely in 2021 that you won’t see a Spiegelworld show onstage. We will perform somewhere.”

Kimmel’s ‘secret’ message

The recent arrest of former Raiders linebacker Vontaze Burfict after a member of his entourage became angry after asking for the location of “Secret Pizza” at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas brought to mind a conversation I had with Jimmy Kimmel a while back.

Kimmel had just opened his comedy club at Linq Promenade. I had asked if he was going to offer an unlisted amenity for locals, maybe a drink that wasn’t on the menu or a password for a discounted entrance to the club.

Kimmel just laughed at the idea.

“You mean, some sort of fake exclusivity?” Kimmel said during that chat in May 2019. “Some sort of exclusivity that everyone knows about? No, not really. I want everyone to feel they are part of the VIP experience. It feels great to be one of the people coming in through that door, but it feels (lousy) when you’re not. I want everyone to feel welcome, not like the Secret Pizza place that’s not a secret to anyone.”

Well, it’s still a secret to someone.

New deck

Lost in the shuffle, as it were, is the famed Bobby’s Room poker room at Bellagio has been renamed Legends Room. MGM Resorts International reps say the switch was made public over the past few months. Whenever, the name change was made with scant fanfare.

The room was originally named for Bobby Baldwin, the former MGM Resorts International executive and 1978 World Series Of Poker main event champion. Baldwin, famously nicknamed The Owl, won that title at age 28. Baldwin had served as chief customer development officer of MGM Resorts and CEO and president of City Center. He was appointed as CEO of the Drew Las Vegas in November 2019.

Ciocca ends ‘Wish’ era

Caroline Ciocca has stepped down from her post as president and CEO of Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada. Her seven-year run ended Friday. Ciocca has moved on to take the role as president of BeThinkWithin wellness company.

During Ciocca’s stewardship, Make-A-Wish grew from 79 wishes granted to a pre-pandemic schedule of more than 160 in 2020.

“After months of personal reflection, I am embarking on a new journey, content in knowing that the Make-A-Wish mission will continue because of the support of people like you,” Ciocca said in a statement announcing her departure.

Nina Radetich, previously the organization’s vice president of marketing and development, steps in as the organization’s interim CEO. Radetich, a former KTNV Channel 13 anchor, has also worked as a marketing official with The Animal Foundation. The Make-A-Wish Board of Directors is on a national search for Ciocca’s full-time replacement.

The Review-Journal is owned by the family of Las Vegas Sands Corp. Chairman and CEO Sheldon Adelson. Las Vegas Sands operates the Palazzo.

John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. His “PodKats!” podcast can be found at reviewjournal.com/podcasts. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.